Chelsea go 3rd in Premier League

Sports Desk, Nov 7 (efe-epa).- Chelsea came from behind Saturday to thrash Sheffield United 4-1 and climb to third in the Premier League with 15 points after eight matches.

Leicester City are also on 15 points, but the Blues have a better goal difference, though the Foxes have a game in hand.

Frank Lampard’s men are just a point behind reigning champions Liverpool and Southampton, who sit atop the Premier League for the first time ever.

Unbeaten in their last five in the league, Chelsea conceded in the ninth minute of the contest at Stamford Bridge.

George Baldock’s cross into the area found Sander Berge, who backheeled the ball to David McGoldrick. The Ireland international beat Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with a fine effort.

Tammy Abraham equalized for the hosts in the 23rd minute with an assist from Mateo Kovacic and Chelsea pulled ahead in the 34th on a goal by Ben Chilwell, who redirected Hakim Ziyech’s cross just inside the far post.

Yet to win this season, last-place Sheffield United enjoyed stretches of possession in the second half but failed to make the most of them.

In the 77th minute, Thiago Silva headed-in a Ziyech free kick for his first goal in a Chelsea shirt and Timo Werner made it 4-1 three minutes later.

The score-line was identical to that of a few hours earlier at London’s Selhurst Park, where hosts Crystal Palace bounced back from a tough loss last week to Wolverhampton with a solid victory over promoted Leeds United.

Scott Dann began the scoring for the home side in the 12th minute off a corner by Eberechi Eze, who made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute with a superb free kick that left Leeds keeper Illan Meslier with no chance.

Patrick Bamford cut the deficit in half for the visitors five minutes later, but Palace led 3-1 at half-time after Leeds winger inadvertently redirected a pass by Patrick van Aanholt past a surprised Meslier for an own goal.

Jordan Ayew capped off the contest with a goal in the 70th minute, assisted by Wilfried Zaha.

Palace, with 13 points from eight matches, are 7th in the table. Leeds slip to 15th place on 10 points.

West Ham United, who spent most of last season in a battle to avoid relegation, moved up to 11th on Saturday, nipping Fulham 1-0 on a goal in stoppage time by Tomas Soucek.

But Fulham were handed a chance to salvage a point when the referee awarded a penalty after Mohamed Said Bernahama fouled Tom Cairney.

Ademola Lookman stepped to the spot and – inexplicably – opted to chip the ball instead of kick away, making an easy stop for Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Fulham, with 4 points from eight matches, sit just above the drop zone.

The day’s action began with a high-stakes contest at Goodison Park between hosts Everton and Manchester United.

The Red Devils conceded first, but went on to craft a convincing 3-1 win that relieved the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Bruno Fernandes was again United’s standout performer as he led them to a victory that will be a huge relief for his under-fire manager.